QUEENSLAND rugby’s “Big Five’’ are still lock-ins for the first Wallaby squad of the year despite the calamitous misfires of the Reds that are killing the chances of fringe contenders instead.

James Horwill, Will Genia, James Slipper, Rob Simmons and Quade Cooper, despite his mixed form of late, will all be core figures when Test boss Ewen McKenzie names a 30 or 32-man squad next month to prepare for the June series against France.

All played in the impressive 30-26 win over Wales to end 2013, which will carry significant selection clout alongside the weight given deeds in Super Rugby.

Wallaby great Mark Ella, writing as a rugby columnist for another News Limited newspaper, believes Cooper has “regressed’’ from his form spike of late last year and will forfeit his Test starting spot to Matt Toomua in June.

News_Image_File: Quade Cooper, Will Genia, James Horwill, plus the Fainga'a brothers have all played for the Wallabies.

“Regardless of what Mark Ella says or what I’d say to the contrary, Ewen McKenzie has a long memory on what Quade has been able to produce for the Wallabies and the Reds,’’ Reds coach Richard Graham said on Monday in Auckland.

Reds players have just three more games to push their cases because the Wallaby squad will be announced around May 20 with two rounds still to play before the June window for the three-Test series.

Halfback Genia’s running game has been muted this season and his general kicking less than perfect, at times, but his bullet pass and big-moment class still put him ahead of ACT Brumbies rival Nic White, a worthy back-up.

Tonsillitis on tour in South Africa dulled a period of prop Slipper’s season but he has been in excellent form over the past month.

News_Rich_Media: James Horwill discusses the Reds’ loss to the Hurricanes, criticising his side’s one-on-one tackling.

He has been central to several huge Reds scrums. His tackle out wide last weekend on speed merchant Andre Taylor, when the Hurricanes fullback actually smiled at him when he saw just a front-rower ahead of him, was typically top drawer.

It is one of the huge frustrations of the Reds’ spluttering season that elements of their game, like the scrum and defensive lineout, have improved sharply just as players like centre Ben Tapuai have found top form again.

Tapuai’s improvement comes at the same time that Australia’s centre stocks have never been healthier. Tevita Kuridrani, 91-Test rock Adam Ashley-Cooper, Christian Lealiifano, Pat McCabe, utility Kurtley Beale and Toomua may still all be ahead of him.

Toomua has been a standout with his direct running, forceful defence, organisation and ever-soaring poise at No.10 but they are also traits that make him the perfect inside centre option to play outside Cooper to create twin playmakers.

Reds No.8 Jake Schatz would have made his Test debut off the bench against South Africa last year but for a late knee injury. His selection stocks have been buffeted by a modest campaign because Western Force No.8 Ben McCalman, with 4kg of extra beef aboard, has been superb.

Wycliff Palu and Scott Higginbotham are also fit and ahead of him. Flanker Liam Gill and young winger Chris Feauai-Sautia will certainly be in the Wallaby squad but fringe winger Dom Shipperley’s season has not got going.

Gill’s return from injury against the Blues on Friday night in Auckland will make a big difference to the Reds because he was a superb mix of skills as the team’s best forward in February and March.

Saia Faingaa and James Hanson are jockeying for the third-choice Wallaby hooker role.

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